Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball Z or any of its characters. If I did I'd be a whole lot richer.
Chapter 37
Kakarot sat meditating quietly out in the middle of nowhere on planet Yardrat. It had been nearly a year since he had defeated Frieza and he had made progress to being able to control his transformations. He could now think of Frieza without spontaneously transforming into a Super Saiyan. Now all that was next was to transform at will. Kakarot slowly rose from his meditative posture to his feet. He clenched his fists at his side and concentrated on the power that was deep inside of him. Wind began to blow nearby and his clothes and hair swayed wildly. Seconds later Kakarot's hair began to flash from its normal black to gold. After flashing a few times it remained golden. Kakarot put his arms down at his side and breathed a sigh of relief. He had managed to transform at will and most important, he had managed to accomplish it without doing much damage to the landscape.
I guess it's probably safe to head home now, he thought. He missed his wife and son but he wanted them safe most of all. He just couldn't live with himself if he inadvertently hurt them in any way. The Super Saiyan walked toward his space ship and boarded with thoughts of home in his head.
-Dbz-
Bardock threw kicks and punches at an imaginary opponent in the new gravity room his mother had built for him for his birthday. This one would go all the way up to 250 times Earth's gravity. She had just made him promise not to tell anyone that it went above 100 times Earth's gravity. She already had enough Saiyans bugging her to improve and build more gravity chambers. Right now he had the gravity set at about 150 times Earth's gravity. That amount was giving him quite the workout. The boy fazed out of sight as he dodged an imaginary punch. He really wished his father were back. He'd rather have someone to spar with that wasn't thin air. Raditz had taken to training Nappa most of the time as two of the remaining full blooded Saiyans became closer. And Vegeta was to put it simply an ass. The boy sighed. At least his mom let him train. Soon after returning from Namek, Bulma had told him he had to start making time for studying. She had given him the choice of either doing school work at home or going to school. She had said she wasn't going to raise a kid that couldn't read and write. Bardock had chosen to do the school work at home. It really only took him a few hours a day to finish on most days, then he could go and play or train. After fighting Frieza he'd decided that he needed to train. He didn't know what else could be out there but he knew that as long as his dad wasn't here he had to be ready in case something came.
The boy was suddenly drawn out of his training as he felt an enormous power coming toward the planet. Unfortunately, the power he felt wasn't his father's. It felt somewhat familiar but he couldn't place it. Then it clicked. The power felt similar to Frieza's power. But that was impossible, Frieza was dead. The boy turned to the middle of the room. "Gravity off," he said giving the voice command to shut off the gravity of the room. An instant later he shot out of the room and flew at all speed toward where he thought the power was going to land.
Minutes later two new warriors joined him in his flight. "You know your mom would kill you if she knew you were rushing off to fight like this on your own," Raditz said flying up beside him.
"Well I guess that's why I'm letting the two of you come along," Bardock said smiling as he slowed and let Raditz and Nappa close the remaining distance.
-Dbz-
Krillin finished his ten thousandth push-up in the gravity chamber Bulma had given him. He had been wished back again nine months ago after dying a second time in a battle he couldn't win. He had been training almost non-stop ever since. He wouldn't let himself be that weak again. An instant later his head turned as he sensed the power heading toward the planet. It felt vaguely familiar but he couldn't place it for sure. But he did know one thing, it felt evil. The earth was in danger once again. The monk quickly exited the gravity room and shot toward the disturbance.
-Dbz-
"Yamcha what are these?" Chi Chi asked as she held up a pair of pink panties. She had decided to stay at Yamcha's for the weekend and had found the panties under his bed on the floor. Now she wasn't one to snoop but she couldn't deny what she'd found when she'd looked for her shoe that was under the bed.
"I got those as a gift for you dear," Yamcha said trying to keep a straight face.
"I doubt that," Chi Chi yelled. "If that were the case I wouldn't smell another woman on them. "If you were going to cheat on me, at least you could get rid of the whore's panties before you invited me over."
"I can explain," Yamcha said desperately.
"There's nothing to explain," Chi Chi yelled. "We're through." The woman ran out of her now ex-boyfriend's house and jumped in her car and took off without a second thought.
"Wait," Yamcha yelled at the retreating woman but it was too late. She was gone. He really couldn't blame her he guessed. He had messed around with another woman on her but he didn't know she was going to find out like this. He regretted the whole thing now. He'd been drunk and the girl had wanted to go home with him because he was a famous baseball player. He should have told her no, but it was too late now. I guess you have to pay the price sometimes, he thought.
He turned his head as he felt a power coming toward earth. "Not the best timing," he said as he took off to investigate.
-Dbz-
Bardock, Raditz, and Nappa landed in a small clearing close to where they suspected that the visitor would land. "Now we wait," Raditz said. "Suppress your power levels. We want the element of surprise on our side."
Nappa and Bardock both complied with the other Saiyan's request. Neither one of them wanted the power they felt coming knowing they were there. "How are we going to stop it?" Bardock asked. "That power is huge."
"We'll take him together," Raditz said.
"Only weaklings fight together," another voice interrupted. "True Saiyans fight alone."
"Nice of you to join us, Vegeta," Bardock said sarcastically.
"You're a fool if you think that," Raditz said. "You know you're no match for that power."
"Maybe not now," Vegeta said. "But once I ascend to a Super Saiyan I'll wipe the floor with them."
"If you ever ascend to a Super Saiyan," Nappa said. "You don't even know if it's possible for you. Kakarot may be the legendary Super Saiyan. It may be impossible for anyone else to ascend."
"You insolent fool," Vegeta said gathering energy in his hand to strike the bald Saiyan. "I will be a Super Saiyan."
"Bring it on," Nappa taunted. He knew that Vegeta was still slightly stronger than him, but he also knew that the prince hadn't mastered the Kaioken either. "I'm not afraid of you anymore."
"Both of you knock it off," Piccolo said from where he'd been watching the argument. "I don't know about you but I don't think we need them to know we're here. And you two fighting will be a dead give-away."
"Them?" Bardock asked. "Yes," Piccolo said. "There are two distinct powers there. Well two distinct powers that are relevant at least. It feels like they brought an army with them."
"Oh joy," Raditz said. He turned his head in time to see Krillin come in for a landing. "Nice of you to join us."
"I figured you could use the help," Krillin said.
"You've definitely gotten stronger," Raditz said.
"Yeah I've been training pretty hard," the monk replied.
"It shows," Tien said as he and Yamcha joined the group.
"Yeah," Yamcha said. "I feel just a bit out-classed now. I knew I should have trained more."
"Quiet," Piccolo said. "There's a ship landing."
Off in the distance a big flying saucer landed and two figures walked out. One was a white alien with purple spots on his knees, elbows and head. He had a mechanical tail and another mechanical patch over a small portion of his chest. Frieza had returned. The other figure dwarfed Frieza and stood nearly eight feet in height. He wore the armor of the planet trade and had two bull like horns sticking out of the top of his head. His skin was purple with stretches of pink along his arms, legs, and neck. This warrior was named King Cold. Frieza had brought back-up.
"I don't know why we didn't just destroy this planet from space," Cold said to his son as he exited the ship.
"I told you father," Frieza said. "I want my revenge on that insolent Saiyan that wounded me so badly. I'm going to leave this planet a wasteland and when he gets back I will kill him."
"If you can," King Cold corrected him. "He seemed to do a number on you last time."
"I was caught off guard," Frieza insisted.
-Dbz-
"It's Frieza," Bardock said. "I thought my dad killed him."
"I guess he survived," Raditz said. "It does look like he's had some work done from where Kakarot injured him though."
"Let's make sure to finish the job this time," Nappa said cracking his knuckles.
-Dbz-
"Where are these earthlings," Cold said getting bored. "I thought they would know we were coming."
"Patience father," Frieza said. "They will come out when we start destroying this planet."
"So uncivilized," Cold commented.
Just then a figure floated down from the cliffs over-looking the landing sight. "Frieza," Raditz said as he landed. "I see you're still alive."
"Well, well," Frieza replied. "If it isn't one of my pet Saiyans, and I'd thought I'd lost you."
"We're not your pets anymore Frieza," Raditz said. "Kakarot defeated you once and he can do it again."
"Now that's funny," Frieza said. "But Kakarot just left planet Yardrat a few days ago. He won't be back here for a few more hours at least, plenty of time for me to make this an empty planet for when he gets back."
"You'll have to go through me first," Raditz said. "I will not let you destroy my new home. The Saiyan's aura expanded and turned a bright crimson as his power shot up higher and higher. Finally, after a few seconds his power leveled off. He knew using a x25 Kaioken probably wouldn't be enough to beat Frieza but he didn't know if he could use much more than that without over loading his body. Kakarot was on his way back, he only hoped he could delay Frieza long enough for his brother to get back.
-Dbz-
"Why don't we go down there?" Bardock asked as they saw Raditz face off against Frieza. "He's going to need our help."
"If we go down there now," Nappa said we give away our biggest advantage. "We need to be able to surprise him. Now keep your power low."
-Dbz-
"Get him men," Frieza yelled at the henchmen he'd brought along. Hundreds of warriors of all shapes and sizes charged at Raditz with various weapons drawn. None of them were even the least bit successful in their attack. Raditz sent a fist through the first warrior's chest and sent a small energy blast at another one, wiping it from the face of the planet. In less than five seconds, each of the warriors was dispensed leaving only Raditz, Frieza, and King Cold on the battlefield.
"I'm impressed," Cold said. "Now I can see why my son had so much trouble with you pesky Saiyans."
"Did you really expect your men to stand a chance against me Frieza?" Raditz asked staring down the changeling.
"No of course not," Frieza said. "But they are expendable and what can I say I like to watch a fight sometimes too."
"Shall we get too it then," King Cold said. "I'm starting to get a bit bored."
"I'm getting to it father," Frieza said. "I like to be dramatic sometimes."
"I'll tell you what," Raditz said. "I'll give you one free shot."
"Like you're in that kind of position," Frieza said. "But I'll take you up on it. You better not dodge this one or it'll destroy this planet and that would be a shame." Frieza raised a finger into the air and began to gather some energy on his finger tip. The ball started out small but soon grew to the size of a basket-ball.
Before he could gather anymore energy for the attack a spinning disc of energy hit him from behind separating his head from his body. Standing behind the tyrant's now dead body was Krillin, his red aura blazing.
"Nice assist," Raditz said as he floated to Frieza's body. A short burst of energy later and there wasn't a trace of Frieza left. "He won't be coming back now."
Krillin let his aura fade panting slightly. Maintaining a x35 Kaioken was difficult to say the least but it had done the trick. He smiled. At least his training had paid off this time.
"I'll take it from here," Raditz said turning to King Cold. "You will soon join your son in the other world."
"I don't think so," King Cold said, his body erupting with energy. Cracks formed all over his body as the shockwaves from his power pushed Raditz back. Light escaped from the cracks on his body and fragments flew in every direction. When the light faded, King Cold no longer had his armor or his horns. He looked similar to Frieza in his fourth form, but his skin was a light blue color with splotches of dark blue at his knees, elbows, and on top of his now bald head. He laughed. "I can go to my maxim in an instant."
Raditz stared in horror at the power King Cold was radiating. It was unthinkable. It was like nothing he'd ever felt before. He'd been able to face Frieza without too much trouble, knowing he could push the Kaioken farther if he needed to but there was no way to match the power King Cold was putting off.
"Now let's start with an easy one," King Cold said instantly gathering a humungous ball of energy in his hands. "Now it's the same game you played with Frieza, if you drop the ball the planet goes up in flames."
Krillin stood by watching as King Cold gathered up a huge ball of energy. He had to do something but he didn't know if he had the strength left to attack again. He clenched his fists at his side and his aura erupted red again. He gathered another Destructo Disk in his hand but gasped in surprise as King Cold turned his head and stared at him. The tyrant of the galaxy fired a blast at the monk. Krillin dropped his disc and crossed his arms over his chest in to block the brunt of the blow.
King Cold laughed. Did that insolent fool really think that attack would work twice? He turned back to Raditz and threw the ball of energy down at the Saiyan that was standing up to him.
Before he could see the fruits of his labor a big bald Saiyan and a small boy with blue hair were in front of him. They were both consumed with a red aura and both were throwing kicks and punches at his face like they thought they could make a difference. The tyrant sent a fist out and drove it into the bald Saiyan's stomach with the force of a freight train. The warrior's aura quickly faded and he doubled over clenching his stomach. Cold simply laughed. Before he could do much more the boy's foot connected with the side of his head. The tyrant didn't even budge an inch. It feels good to stretch out in my true form every once in a while, he thought. He grabbed the boy's leg and spun him around and tossed him into the bald warrior. They both collapsed on to the ground and didn't get back up again.
He turned back to watch his handy work with Raditz. The ball of energy had just about reached the Saiyan warrior. Raditz's red aura blazed as he put his hands up to stop the energy. He knew if he wasn't able to stop this then the planet would be toast. He pushed the Kaioken to a x35 as the energy got closer. The ball hit his up raised hands and his feet pushed into the ground. The Saiyan gritted his teeth as he pushed back against the energy but the power was too much. The Saiyan continued to lose ground to the attack as his feet got pushed deeper and deeper into the ground. "I can't fail," he screamed as his red aura and hair flashed gold. His power shot up as his hair remained gold. He pushed against the attack and began to gain ground. The ball of energy flew up out of the ground and past King Cold where it flew safely into space to explode.
Raditz stood facing the overlord of the galaxy, his hair and aura a bright gold and his eyes a turquoise. Raditz had become a Super Saiyan.
-Dbz-
"How?" Vegeta screamed in disbelief. Now Raditz had surpassed him as well. It was bad enough that that fool Kakarot had become a Super Saiyan before him but now the low class Raditz had reached the legendary level as well.
-Dbz-
Raditz faced down King Cold new Super Saiyan power running through his veins. He charged at the overlord of the galaxy with a right fist to the tyrant's face. Cold blocked the blow as if it were child's play and laughed. "Is that all you've got?" He asked. Raditz shot his left leg out and drove it into Cold's ribs. The blow caught Cold by surprise and sent him flying back a few feet. Raditz used the moment of distraction to faze out of sight and appear behind Cold. He brought both fists down in a double axe handle fashion but King Cold raised his arms and blocked the attack. Cold flipped his tail and smacked Raditz in the face sending him flying into the ground hard.
Raditz picked himself up off the ground and wiped a trickle of blood from his mouth. Even with his new Super Saiyan powers, this was going to be a tough fight. He spread his arms and gathered energy in both hands. Bringing them together he shouted, "Double Sunday." He send the massive beam of energy at King Cold. The tyrant crossed his arms and took the blow on full force.
When the smoke cleared, King Cold was bruised and slightly burned but otherwise unharmed. "Not bad," he said. "I can see how Frieza might have some trouble against this Super Saiyan transformation you have. "But I assure you I will not." Cold fazed out of sight and appeared behind Raditz and drove a fist into the Super Saiyan's kidney. He grabbed the Saiyan's hair and slammed Raditz's face down into his knee. Not letting go of the warrior's hair, Cold held Raditz up like a punching bag and pounded him with blow after blow. After only a few minutes of this, Raditz's golden hair faded to black and his aura faded to nothing. "Done so soon," Cold taunted.
Raditz being unconscious failed to answer.
"I guess I'll just have to go ahead and kill you then," Cold said. "Then I'll finish this planet."
"No," a voice said from behind him. "You'll fight me first,"
King cold turned to see another Saiyan warrior standing up to face him. This one wore a green one-piece fighting uniform with a black undershirt and wristbands. His hair was much shorter than other Saiyans but they looked very much alike. "And who might you be?" Cold asked.
"Kakarot," the Saiyan answered supplying a name with the threat. "And I will end you." The Saiyan's hair flashed to gold as a golden aura enveloped him.
"Oh this trick again," Cold said. "It didn't work too well for your friend."
"We'll see," Kakarot responded with a predatory grin.
Power levels
Bardock:
3.5 million
87.5 million (Kaioken x25 fighting King Cold)
Vegeta:
3.5 million
Raditz:
4.25 million
106.25 million (Kaioken x25)
212.5 million (Super Saiyan)
Kakarot:
5.5 million (after training for a year on Yardrat)
275 million (Super Saiyan)
Nappa:
3 million (after training with Raditz for a year)
75 million (Kaioken x25 fighting King Cold)
Krillin:
4 million
140 million (Kaioken x35 while killing Frieza with a Destructo Disc.)
Yamcha:
250,000
Tien:
2 million
Piccolo:
35 million
Frieza:
135 million (fixed up at 75% power)
King Cold:
2 million (second form)
250 million (fourth form)